A HAMPSHIRE centenarian celebrated turning 100 surrounded by good company.

In reaching the milestone birthday, Edna Weller becomes the third centenarian at Tegfield House in Winchester.

There are currently three ladies in their centenarian years, with Molly Allnutt due to turn 103 in September.

Miss Weller celebrated her birthday with several close friends, including a 98-year-old friend.

The mayor of Winchester, Cllr Jane Rutter attended the celebrations as well as local Reverend Peter Seal.

The home gifted the birthday girl a rose called ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ for the mayor to plant.

Miss Weller commented on the mayor planting the rose: “Get the gardeners to plant it, it’s what we pay them for and they will do a better job.”

She was born on August 8, 1916 at Midhurst, West Sussex, and moved to Winchester in 1921, attending Winchester County Girls School, now the Westgate, in Cheriton Road and was in the school choir, played tennis and netball.

She was a member of the Weeke Manor Townswomen’s Guild and also enjoyed folk dancing, yoga, keep fit and a weekly swim.

Miss Weller loves the countryside and wild flowers and her greatest love is music and playing the piano. She has been a resident at Tegfield for nine years and enjoys time in its garden.

Cllr Rutter said: “I was delighted to join Miss Edna Weller and friends and relations at Tegfield House care home to celebrate her 100th birthday. We cut the cake together and enjoyed a tipple to toast the centenarian – the third lady to pass this milestone in Tegfield House at present, and they were all at the party.”

Shirley Bartlett, home manager, said: “I feel honoured and proud to have three centenarians living at Tegfield House, who have collectively lived here for 26 years.”